“I mustered all hands and told them that I proposed to send a telegram to the Admiralty offering the ships, stores, and, if they agreed, our own services to the country in the event of war breaking out. All hands immediately agreed, and I sent off a telegram in which everything was placed at the disposal of the Admiralty. We only asked that, in the event of the declaration of war, the Expedition might be considered as a single unit, so as to preserve its homogeneity. There were enough trained and experienced men amongst us to man a destroyer.”

“…ship staff stores and provisions at your disposal recognising the claims of my country before all other considerations respectfully submitting that if required the expedition be used as one unit. If not required I propose continuing voyage forthwith as any delay would prevent expedition getting through the pack ice this year.” — telegram, Shackleton to Admiralty

“Proceed.” — telegram, Admiralty to Shackleton

“Within an hour I received a laconic wire from the Admiralty:

“Proceed.”

“Within two hours a longer wire came from Mr. Winston Churchill, in which we were thanked for our offer, and saying that the authorities desired that the Expedition, which had the full sanction and support of the Scientific and Geographical Societies, should go on.”